Current VINE funding news

On Friday, May 29, the Minnesota Department of Human Services, a consistent source of funding for a variety of VINE’s services to older adults and family caregivers since 1997, notified VINE that our request for state funding for July 2008–June 2009, which amounts to $239,000 or 24% of our budget, will not be renewed. This situation has very serious implications for our ability to fulfill our mission to assist our friends and neighbors—and yours—in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties.

VINE’s funding comes from a variety of sources:

According to the letter VINE received from Jean Wood, Executive Director of the Aging and Adult Services Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the funding decision “is not a reflection on the value of your work but rather the limitation of state grant funds which forces us to make difficult choices.”

VINE will aggressively seek out new grant possibilities and will try every avenue available to us to keep our staff and maintain our presence in the communities we serve. HOWEVER, grant applications will not help us in the short term. We need your help.

Be assured that we will work diligently to maintain the quality of service that older adults need and our community has come to expect from VINE’s committed staff and volunteers. Last year, individual contributions were 26% of our budget. Our goal this year must be to double that percentage.